Leica unveils X2 16MP premium large-sensor compact

Leica has announced the X2, a 16MP APS-C compact camera with a fixed 36mm equivalent F2.8 lens. The camera is an updated version of its X1, with the biggest changes being the use of a 16.2MP CMOS sensor and the addition of an accessory socket for adding an optional 1.44M dot 'Viso-Flex' electronic viewfinder. An add-on handgrip is also available. Leica says it has improved the autofocus system (one of our biggest criticisms of the X1), but has retained the rather low-resolution 230,000 dot rear LCD. The X2 has a list price of $1,995.00.

The optional Viso-Flex is visually near-identical to the Olympus VF-2 viewfinder, which uses a full 1.44m dot Epson LCD panel, rather than the Panasonic LVF2, which uses a field-sequential display (updating one color after another), to offer the equivalent of 1.44m dots.

Andy Westlake has reported on the X2's AF performance, based on his use of a pre-production camera at Leica's press event in Berlin:

'Our initial impressions are that the X2 feels improved in a couple of key areas. Autofocus is rather faster, especially in low light, and while it may not match the very fastest around it should be fast enough for most purposes. The top-plate dials have also been improved, with more-positive click stops. The clean lines of the original are slightly spoiled by the top-plate 'hump' to accomodate the EVF port, but that plug-in 'Visoflex' viewfinder shoould make the camera far more useable in bright light.'

LEICA X2: THE NEXT GENERATION OF THE LEICA COMPACT DIGITAL CAMERA

Solms, Germany (May 10, 2012) - Leica Camera AG presents the X2, a new addition to the X-line of compact digital cameras. Handmade at Leica’s headquarters in Germany, the Leica X2 features a new APS-C-format professional CMOS image sensor with over 16.5 megapixels (effective 16.2 MP). In combination with the high-performance Leica Elmarit 24 mm f/2.8 ASPH. lens, a classic focal length for photojournalism, this sensor ensures maximum image quality and sparkling brilliance. With its refined styling and high-performance technical features, the Leica X2 offers unsurpassed performance in a compact package.

The Leica X2’s autofocus system has also been enhanced, allowing the camera to adapt to all shooting situations with enormous flexibility and enabling fast, extremely precise and almost silent focusing. The camera’s profile is complemented by numerous setting options from full manual control to automatic functions and an intuitive handling concept. These features make the Leica X2 the ideal premium-class compact camera for discerning photographers who wish to concentrate completely on their subjects and appreciate creative and true-to-life pictures.

The CMOS image sensor of the X2 is unusually large for a camera in the compact segment. Despite its high resolution of over 16 megapixels, each individual pixel on the sensor is very large, allowing the X2 to gather more light. The resulting benefits include low image noise, a high dynamic range and accurate color differentiation. The crop factor of the sensor is 1.5 in comparison with 35-mm film format, meaning that the Leica Elmarit 24 mm f/2.8 ASPH. lens of the Leica X2 becomes a universal reportage lens with an effective 35-mm-equivalent focal length of 36 millimeters. This is considered to be a classic focal length amongst prime lenses and has captured innumerable iconic images. The moderate wide-angle character and natural rendition of dimensions by the high-performance lens of the X2 open up a broad spectrum of different options for capturing those decisive moments in outstanding, authentic and richly detailed picture quality.

As a result of its simple operating concept, the Leica X2 offers clearly laid-out functions and intuitive handling. At the same time, it offers an impressive range of automatic and versatile manual setting options. Thanks to the ease of switching between manual and automatic control, photographers can concentrate completely on composing their subjects and choosing the decisive instant to shoot in any situation. The dials on the top deck provide grip when setting the shutter speed and aperture. Moreover, changing the plane of focus, the white balance and other imaging parameters allows photographers to consciously influence the look or mood of their images. In live view mode, the generously sized high-contrast 2.7" monitor offers photographers complete control at all times and a bright and detailed view, even in strong light.

The features offered by the Leica X2 provide greater creative freedom and a wide range of photographic options. For instance, the Leica X2’s large sensor and fast lens make it ideal for shooting in available light. The camera also features a pop-up flash that can be activated whenever an additional light source is required. If more lighting power and flexibility are required, the accessory shoe of the X2 offers full compatibility with the Leica SF 24D and SF 58 system flash units.

The Leica X2 is characterized by clear lines and an intensely focused design concept. The linearity of its design and its compact, handy form are reminiscent of the Leica M-cameras. This, in combination with its robust, all-metal construction and premium, high-grip leather trim makes the X2 a classic Leica camera in both looks and feel. The camera is available in a discreet black or elegant silver finish.

An extensive range of accessories is also available to adapt the Leica X2 to each photographer’s individual photographic needs and style. A new offering is the Viso-Flex high-resolution electronic accessory finder with 1.4 megapixels and a 90° swivel function for shooting from unusual angles. Also available is a bright-line mirror finder that can be mounted on the accessory shoe and ensures a bright and clear view at all times, with no drain on the camera battery. An accessory handgrip increases the hold and stability of the camera and makes it easier to shoot one-handed. Leica continues to offer a comprehensive range of bags and cases: a premium-quality black leather case to match the elegance of the X2, an ergonomically designed camera protector in untreated leather, an ever-ready case in organically tanned cowhide to protect the camera during use and a system bag that offers more room for the camera and a range of accessories.

Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom®, a professional digital workflow solution for Apple Mac® OS X and Microsoft Windows®, is also included in the X2 package. This digital image processing software offers a wide range of functions for the management, processing and presentation of digital images. Leica X2 customers can download the software free from the Leica website after registering their camera.

The Leica X2 is available now through Leica dealers including the Leica Store Washington DC. The optional accessories will be available after the market launch of the camera.

Comments

Long after the event, here I am reading the comments, then it occurs to me that the Leica lens alone is likely worth the asking price of the x2, throw in the Olympus viewfinder and one would have a challenging and quality piece of kit.

it's not a matter of being able to afford, but rather getting your money's worth for it. people don't buy cameras for their name alone. or some people have become so vane nowadays that they can't distinguish a real nice camera from a rip-off.

I compared this back and forth to the X100 for quite some time and finally ended up with the Leica. Superb image quality and wonderful ergonomics in a stylish, elegant housing! I got the all-black one and the optional external optical viewfinder.

For the past few weeks, I've been carrying this when I haven't felt like dragging my 5DmkII bag around. The X2 fits discretely in my inside coat pocket. Fantastic as a high-quality-walk-around!

I honestly don't get all the detractors "red dot fascination"...I don't care who makes it - for me, its a *great* camera well worth the asking price, period! My guess is a lot of folks have pre-judged this camera based on an erroneous assumption of a poor price/performance ratio or because of some "hyper brand loyalty".

The RAW files out of the X2 require very little post-process tweaking, if any. It's an uncanny machine. I love it! :)

As a former owner of a Leica IIIc, I have to say:1. The X-2 with OVF is gorgeous. It would look stunning hanging from my wrinkly old neck on an elegant leather strap, just like my IIIc did. 2. F/2.8 is faster than the f/3.5 with which I took hundreds of good photos, including many in dim light, at ISO of only 400.3. I assume the X-2 lens extends electrically, whereas my old Elmar had to be withdrawn and locked in place by hand.4. My IIIc had to be focused manually, but the X-2 has automatic focusing. 5. The accessory OVF looks much bigger and brighter than the squinty peep-hole in my IIIc.These improvements, in a body about the same size, shape and beauty as my old IIIc, would make this camera much better than the IIIc. I call that tasteful progress, and I say, "Bravo, Leica!" I won't buy one, though, as I have not yet worn out my 6-year-old, 8-megapixel Canon 30D.

2000$ for the NEX5 sensor in a Leica body without interchangeable lenses and a low resolution LCD. Even the EVF looks Sony, with a Leica stamp and reshaped body. Some people must have had a hit with the hammer on the roof to buy this. One always bought a Leica for the red dot and the quality of the optics. Now that you can use the optics and any mirror-less with adapter and same manual work, no need for the red dot anymore, Save your bucks and buy a lens.

Disappointing. I thought Leica had watched and learned from the X100. I'm confused by the largely incremental upgrades in a camera segment that has become much more popular than it used to be, where so much is going on today. A camera released nearly two years after the X100 shouldn't be "roughly comparable" except for a smaller max aperture.

That Viso is cumbersome but DOES look like the old Visoflex mirror houses! Nice design touch. Other than that, I don't see any point in the X2.Fuji x100 is way more innovative and closer to the Leica spirit, it being something of a rangefinder.230K LCD is not a big deal on the M9, enough for a quick chimp check of focus, composition, histogram. But when it is THE interface to focus, compose and control – it really is an insult.As much as I love, use and pamper my Leica babies, this one is a laugh.The strong point of a non-rangefinder compact camera is ZOOOOOM! Versatility. You don't shoot Vanity Fair covers with it.My two cents for a usable Leica compact:- Tri-Elmar lens, f2.8 all the way or at worst f2.8-4; equiv. focal length 24-35-50mm or 28-50-90-Fast, accurate AF- Macro maybe not but close focus to 0.3m- Decent hybrid optical finder with three-step magnification, parallax bright lines + switchable live view (External finders suck!)- APS-C sensor- Very simple menu

I think this camera and the Fuji camera range still misses the 'ultimate mark'.We all want one thing and that is: compact full frame camera with 3 really decent lenses (24, 50 & 90). We would all shut up and just go back to good old school photography like the work of Bresson. They are all close, but we all know we really want that full 35mm frame at +/- 18-20mp and great iso performance up to 6400. Could you imagine the images we could create with such a tool!!!?

Ultimate documentary camera with a 50mm 1.4 and would be even better with leaf shutter lenses, we could only dream of such a beast.

That sounds like a Leica M9 and a few M lenses. Would you expect the price to go down if Leica made it a modern live view mirror less camera with the same size sensor? If another brand like Fujifilm, removing the Leica premium would help with the price, but there would still be some price premium for being a lower volume non-mainstream "all primes" system, as shown by the high price of the Fujifilm X1 Pro system compared to systems like NEX. So it would not be cheap: say $4000 for the body?

I love Leica, but lets face it: most of their products are even too expensive for most working pros to justify spending that amount of $$$$. It has always been a connoisseur's camera brand and Leica intends on keeping it that way. Japan was the country that brought great quality, functionality and top technology at an affordable price, that is why they rule the world in camera development.Why should a simple mirror-less camera be any more expensive than a 5D? I would definitely have one as a back-up to my SLR. And I think it would boom in popularity very quickly. You watch, it is coming sooner than you think. Maybe even Canon or Nikon is going to be the first to launch a new range of full frame compact cameras. Leica M lenses are second to none but at what price!!!!? Any of the good lens companies should be able to price primes at between $600-1000. Why not? they already make great primes at cheaper prices. Nobody wants another Leica M like camera.

A good LCD is on the same importance level as a good optical viewfinder. You don't need one to take pictures but its sure nice to have. Surely Leica wouldn't put a subpar RF in their flagship M so why would they do the same with the LCD?

SERIOUSLY?! 2010. September 19: Fuji X100 35/f2.0 for $1,2002012. May 10: LEICA X2 36/2.8 for $2,000 / £1,600 !!!SERIOUSLY! NOT EVEN 'CRON?! for 2k? In 2012? Not to mention other things.LEICA! You're CHEATING on US and your OWN! Loosing photographic heritage, engineering knowledge and proud. ( M-Monochrom for $7,950?! )Does EVERYTHING need to be: FOR SALE?!Even if you have the (financial, engineering etc.) potential to create something truly valuable?What is happening to our once beloved World?! There are people suffering OUT THERE! Does the word ARROGANCE ring a bell?LEICA! GOOD LUCK FOR SELLING THESE PRODUCTS! I'M SURE YOU WILL!

People buy cameras for many different reasons, decisions are often not driven by specifications. I passed on the X1 due to the poor reviews and purchased an X100 as soon as they were released....I love it!

I thought the new X2 might be tempting, but it is not to me. I agree with many posters who still prefer the X100... price is not an issue for me, I will buy what I want.

But holy cow...get a life! It is not worth fighting over and the personal insults detract from what is supposed to be a forum for sharing civil thoughts about photography.

Here here.....!! I have stopped commenting on this forum because it seems everyone wants to fight one another..... Interesting views and debates have been taken over by personal insults toward people they know nothing about.

I see the same world and have same protection with a sun-glass bought 10$ at a vendor on a beach than with a Cartier Glass, same time on a swatch than on a Rolex, same things in a cheap bag than ina Louis Vuitton. Now, guess why people buy a Leica. Cartainly not because it is medieval styla and use or any better. It has better optics, but also there i see not for 3000$ better sharpness and quality on a picture. On a computer screen it looks often the same, except if you magnify and just look at a few square cm of it. Me too, I print not every shot and if I do, seldom in poster size. Than, is the reason not simply this one; "but me, I ow a Leica". There are many aspects to everything, but in Leica this is the point for most of those who use them, or not, some just have them.

I badly wish that, this hot shue would be behind the body as X1 not pumped up as in some RAW taking avarage cameras. As a Oly XZ-1 owner, i would looking forward to have X1´s successor. I would invest that !

But to see this hunchback on top, chages my whole direction. I put my afford and all i get is aordinary/ almost cheap outlook as any other fixed lens camera.

Fail.To compete with the x100, the X2 needed a faster lens(at the least!), and something to differentiate it, like a 50mm equivalent lens perhaps. But more megapixels is Leica's answer? Now maybe i'm generalizing...but people who shoot Leica & the like aren't your average soccer mom shooters who are wowed by more megapixels. This ain't gonna cut it. I was really hoping they would step up and bring the pain to Fuji with faster, longer glass, faster autofocus & comparable high iso- i'd sell my x100 in a heartbeat. But alas....

Not a fanboy. I have had and appreciated all my gear in the past for better or worse, Canon, Nikon, Contax and Mamiya and likewise appreciate my M9 now. The X2 is not a camera for me and if I were to get a camera of its ilk I would probably get a NEX7.

I am pointing out YOUR stupidity for calling someone who finds the X2 attractive, for whatever their reasons, "STUPID".

Just more class envy from an insecure wannabe. Why do feel it is OK to call someone stupid for their purchase or preferences? Not very tolerant of you, now is it? So you must be one of those uneducated liberal types that have been spawned by a genetic defect.

there are many reasons for buying a product, even if it is less good, has less features, is medieval, or what ever it is. Stupidity, Pretending, Wannabe, See me, Red Dot, and some similar aspects are some good reasons. For me it is objectivity and buying this camera with a Nex5 sensor, an EVF form Olympus or Sony, a low resolution LCD at a price that is fancy and ridiculous is just brainless, unless you start at the beginning of my post and find a reason. Nothing and no feature in this camera offers me any reason to consider it as a modern product.

well people must agree with you because sigma leica and everyone who makes a camera like this goes for the 35ish lens. I would like one with a 50 on it. 50 is long enough to shoot portaits its wide enough for lanscapes its capable almost every where. any kind of close up portrait works out really poorly with a lens wide than 50mm.

40mm is supposed to be the ideal NORMAL lens. See Leica CL, Minolta CLE, and also Voigtlander is making 40mm glass, good ones as well, I used one on a Canon 5DII. A compact with 38 or 40mm lens makes sense. Having said that, a 35 'cron is glued to my M9. Whenever I put the 50mm on, I feel that I need to back away from the scene. Unless it's a portrait or you need to keep distance.A friend asked for advice what camera to get for a tour around the world and I talked her into the Fuji x100. She never regretted it, although it took some time to get used to the 35mm angle.

Bottom line is that it's a D7000/K5 sensor with a top-grade (not fastest but great iq) lens in a jacket pockets-sized and lite camera with a nice manual control system. Apparently AF speed is quite usable and is an improvement over X100 at least. Also, MF is quite usable, more so than X100. True, the lcd is old and the optional external finder is a pain compared to a built-in one on the X100. But that's about as good of an APS-C sensor as you can get now in about as small of a package as you can get.

X100 is a lot less and I think it's a 'better deal', but not overwhelmingly so. Whether X2 tradeoffs work better for you and whether you are willing to pay up, is a personal choice :).

Also, from experience with these small cameras, image quality is really plenty good enough from most of them but the particulars of handling end up making a world of difference. And good luck judging that from the spec sheet..

"Large sensor compact" makes sense, since it places the camera in the category of "compact digital cameras", and amongst them, this has a far larger sensor than most.

In fact, since we are talking about digital camera sensors, not film, the relevant size scale is other digital camera sensors, not film formats. And then "APS-C" is far larger than the vast majority of digital camera sensors. (Even if you exclude the great majority of digital cameras that are also phones.) The roughly 1% of camera sensors in 35mm format or larger are, as you say, "very large" in the digital sensor world.(And never mind the anachronism that the very largest digital camera sensors are called "medium format"!)

APS-C in compact is LARGE. Why do people keep saying they'd buy the X2 if it was full frame? I used to shoot half-frame Olympus E-3 with great results. Is that a minuscule frame, or what? Serious DSLR users can put up with APS-C, they win contests and do glossy magazine assignments!The APS-C sensor is the least fault of this camera.

How this camera performs in actual tests remains to be seen. I'm not sure if Leica did enough to remain competitive with Fuji, then again, I'm not sure if they're trying to be...

I have to say though, this is one of the prettiest camera bodies being sold right now. I think now I know where that Canon Mirrorless Camera concept design that made it's way around the web got inspiration from.

Leica has "had a foot in the coffin for many years now". Well they were like that when Minolta was healthy, when Konica was healthy, when Contax/Yashica was healthy, and when Sony made walkmen. They've now even managed to outlast Kodak. What's the betting they will even outlast Pentax, Olympus, and Fujifilm? For those who make 2k USD per 10 minutes of work, price at this level is not an issue and Leica only needs to cater for a very small population to survive, with one foot firmly outside the coffin ;)

Wow! How nice it is to see so many persons hating Leica and at the same time posting so many comments on each article about Leica...The LCD sucks! The IQ sucks! Price too high! My xxx blows this one and costs half! My yyy + zzz blows this one and costs a third! It's ugly! (WHAT?!?) What outrageous noise! Leica sucks! Leica will die!

Meanwhile, [fairytalemode] in a little village in Germany [/fairytalemode], Leica has lasted a century building beautiful, trustworthy cameras that never lose their value, which the greatest photographers in the world have used to create some of the most memorable photos ever.

Actually Leicas can produce exceptional images which is what makes these cameras interesting, but i think the exceptional high price compared with the lack of the latest technological features (like high end LCD, better high ISO performance., better out of camera color and jpeg, better AF etc. etc.) makes some people a little irritated :-)

Uhm, you must have missed that Leica has been at the brink of bankruptcy many times now. They've had one foot in the coffin for many years already. They are not doing great.

And digital cameras always lose their value, all electronics eventually die. You can't just replace a sensor like film and keep it up to date like you could with film cameras. A digital device is outdated a year after release and will cease to work eventually. Times have changed.

"Really goes to show: if you can't have it, at least hate it. :P"

I know right, all these people with the X-Pro1 and their mirrorless systems costing quite a bit more than this toy can't afford it. LOL

This is a nice story but things started catching up with Leitz as far back as the 1970s (I was there). It was a wonderful place to work at the time but even then the economics and limited resources dictated some manufacturing in Portugal and buying electronics and lenses from other companies and re-branding. A lot the stuff was perfectly good but as with Panasonic, people found out and some felt cheated. More recently, the Leica camera business has been bought, sold and saved from the brink several times. It is a testament to the power of the brand, however, that somewhat eccentric investors will swoop in and prop up the company. BTW, the limited edition stuff grew out of slow sales. After the Olympics and the 50th anniversary were successful, eveything under the sun warranted a limited edition. Safari R3, anyone? Still a classic Leica is a fine product and it's no secret that rangefinder lenses are often superior to the best SLR equivalents.

AbrasiveReducer, portuguese manufacturing is the least of the problems you listed in your otherwise very articulate reply. Leica has been making M- (and more recently S-) series bodies in Portugal since 1968. The bodies are built in Portugal and assembled at Leica's plant in Solms, Germany. It is necessary to say that, in Portugal, they employ people who used to work in high precision craftsmanship industry, namely in a now folded clock and watch company. Leica is building a new factory at the same location (Vila Nova de Famalicão) and will employ more people. They could move to China or Thailand, but they prefer to stay in Europe. That means they trust portuguese workers - though not enough to stick a «Made in Portugal» label in the bodies, which, as they say, would make Leica lose customers.OK, this was my National Pride moment. In truth, I don't like what Leica stands for nowadays - expensive gadgets for the super-rich. Great glass and gorgeous bodies, but at obscene prices.

Anyone find it odd that Leica and Panasonic are buddies, yet that's pretty much the Oly viewfinder that the panasonic m4/3 crowd always wanted on their cameras? If they can steal it for Leica, why didn't they do that for panasonic?

I own leica X1. It is of formidable caliber camera. Picture quality is uncomparable with any camera of similiar size. In fact it would benefit from only some technical improvement and engineers in Solms did just that. X1 is not camera for every one. You are talking of technical sides caring little about the joyful exprience you get by operating such state of the art instrument of newest digital technology at its best in such strightforward and simple way with breathtaking results only the Leica is capable of. X1 requires from you development of truly close relationship to be enjoyed saying nothing about the best workmanship. It is sheer pleasure to take photos with X1 and even more more to watch the results. Bravo folks at Solms and thank you for dedication and wonderful exprience and joy you provide me with every minute with my Leica X1.

Why does everyone have to throw in the caveat that you have to somehow tap dance just right to use the camera, meaning only a select few can do it?

You do realize they could do things that make sure everyone can tap dance without ruining the experience, like shake reduction, a better screen, etc. You can still feel all smug with a simple Leica, and probably take the same picture and find the same joy in taking them, without needing to make up excuses for getting shafted by the brand.

I know going from lone wolf to wolf pack ruins the Leica experience, but you Leica types are suppose to be above all that.

I have used the X1 almost exclusively for my personal photography the last year..Two things that annoyed me was sensor dust(even my optical viewfinder has dust) and the pop up flash that doesn't retract anymore - thus the camera reads it as on and it will always flash...there is no off switch or setting...the way around it is to use continuous shooting which disables the flash!

On the X2 it seems that the flash might have been improved, time will tell..but surely they could have given it sensor vibration dust removal. Also lens cant take filters nor a lens hood a la x100...the lens cap always has to be carefully stored because there is no other lens protection. The 24mm leica lens has a bit of barrel distortion, which is also a small disappointment and it would seem the X2 has the same lens..lcd is still low res although apparently improved upon the old one..thus no upgrade yet

This one already has plenty of competition but the quality of LCD screen is so...backwards like my quirky Sigma DP2.Versus the recently announced Sigma DP2M which will probably be available on June, the only thing this Leica has over it is the option to install an EVF.